ECONOMY IN EDUCATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20993, 2 October 1931, Page 8

ECONOMY IN EDUCATION.

Those who spoke for the Federation of Teachers to the Minister of Education, in opposing drastic economy of expenditure in his department, offered no constructive suggestion. Their attitude was disappointingly different from that of the resolution of the Auckland branch, which it was expected would be amplified by the deputation jn an endeavour to help the Minister with "expert" advice. Instead, the spokesmen for the federation advanced what they considered reasons against any "campaign of ruthless prir ing" and were frankly willing that all means of economising should be employed except those affecting education. For their expressed concern lest irreparable damage be done to the children in their care there can be, and ought to be, ready sympathy, but their assumption that any measure of economy must necessarily do this damage lacks warrant. It is not proved by merely general statements about the value and purpose of education. That line of argument, as a matter of fact, begs the point at issue. There must bo economy, and no one —teachers least of all—should expect it to be averted by a mere agitation of protest. They are not only engaged in service to the children: they are engaged as servants of tho State. If it should find itself under regrettable necessity to curtail expenditure, they have a duty to it as well as to the children, and vague generalities should give place to precise advice as to where economy can be effected with the least harm.